Elliana, who unknowingly marries Falco, believing he is just the heir of the Mendevil family when, in reality, he is the real Mendevil-not his father, the chairman. As she tries to escape from Falco's possessive nature, she finds herself in an even more complicated situation-she gets pregnant and gives birth to twins. Just when she thinks she can finally settle down, she discovers another shocking truth. She was never really an adopted child of Albert King. But before she can process this, tragedy strikes-her beloved father is killed, and Falco is accused of being responsible.
Chapter 1 Elliana King
Elliana glanced nervously around as she made her way to her boyfriend Andrew's condo unit. Her heart raced, afraid that her stepfather might have sent someone to follow her. She had escaped from the restaurant where Sir Manciano had introduced her to the old man she was supposed to marry.
Since childhood, Elliana had been under the care of Manciano King after her mother, who had worked as a maid in his mansion, passed away. Owing him a great debt of gratitude, she couldn't refuse when the sixty-five-year-old man asked her to marry someone to save the King family's failing business.
Earlier, she had met the man she was supposed to marry-the owner of the Mendevil Empire. She had barely held back the urge to gag; he was even older than Manciano, with crooked teeth and a single gold one that stood out.
He may have been filthy rich, but he was a complete slob.
She wondered if it might be better to just run away with Andrew. She simply couldn't bear the thought of marrying that old man. The thought made her shudder with disgust.
"Ashley, you're so good at this, huh?" Andrew's voice floated with a seductive and teasing tone.
She froze in her tracks, her heart sinking as the sound of heavy moans followed.
"Andrew," she called out, her voice breaking as she pushed open the door to the living room. There, she saw him sitting with Manciano's granddaughter, Ashley, straddled on his lap.
Her disgust deepened as she saw Ashley's glistening lips while Andrew's pants lay unzipped.
Instead of feeling ashamed, Ashley grinned at her. She moved her hips, and Elliana almost wanted to cover her ears as her shameless boyfriend moaned in pleasure.
"There she is, Andrew. The woman who cheated on you," Ashley taunted.
"You two are disgusting!" Elliana shouted, rushing toward them in fury.
But before she could grab Ashley by the hair, Andrew shoved her hard. She fell to the floor with a thud.
"You're going to marry an old man for money!" Andrew yelled, his words making her mouth drop open in shock.
"H-How did you-"
Ashley let out a mocking laugh, her grin widening. Her chest was exposed, littered with marks.
"Don't act all innocent, Elliana. You offered yourself up to marry that old man. Did you really think I didn't know that you and Granddaddy met with your soon to be old hag husband today, for his money?"
"T-That's not true!" Tears welled up in her eyes. She was doing it for their family, and yet this was the betrayal she received in return.
"Shut up, Elliana!"
Andrew grabbed her arm so tightly that Elliana thought it might break.
"So that's why you wouldn't let me touch you-because you had another plan. How much is that old man paying you, huh? I'll triple it! Just sleep with me. D*mn it, I'll wear you out-"
A loud slap silenced him.
She yanked her arm free, furious at his insult. But Andrew only grinned more wickedly. "What? Has he already slept with you?"
The tears she had been holding back burst forth. She shoved him hard and ran out of the condo, her vision blurred as she frantically pressed the elevator button. She didn't care about the people staring at her as she rushed by.
In her haste, she collided headfirst into something-or rather, someone-hard as a wall.
"Careful," a deep voice said, the tone almost commanding.
Elliana lifted her gaze, only to be met with a pair of piercing ash-gray eyes. Despite her tear-blurred vision, the man's appearance registered in her mind. His brows were knitted together in a harsh line, his expression cold and unreadable.
"A-Are you single, Sir?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He tilted his head slightly, his lips tightening.
The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down Elliana's spine. It felt like his eyes were piercing right through her, and the size of him was intimidating-tall, muscular, veins running down his solid arms that were now wrapped around her waist.
She wanted to flee from his predatory eyes, but the fire of revenge burned too hot in her veins.
"If you are..." she said, summoning every ounce of courage, "pop my virginity. I'm giving you my piece of hymen."
The coldness in his expression vanished, replaced by a heat in his eyes she couldn't quite understand.
He gazed at her as though she were his willing prey-vulnerable, submissive. And he was the dominant predator.
"You look fragile. Your eyes are sad," his deep voice crawled across her skin, sending a shiver through her body.
"M-My boyfriend cheated on me," Elliana stammered, her tears pooling at the corners of her eyes once more.
That's when she saw it-something dark and dangerous flickered in his ash-gray eyes. His jaw clenched tightly, as if her words had struck a nerve, stirring something angry within him.
"Let's go," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
A chill ran down her spine as the man practically lifted her from where she stood. His arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, so tight that she couldn't even muster a protest.
The moment they entered a dimly lit establishment, loud music crashed into her ears, mingling with the shouts of people raising bottles in celebration. She watched as the stranger took something handed to him by a passing waiter. Moments later, they were climbing a set of stairs, heading to who knows where.
"Do you like it rough?"
Elliana gasped loudly as he suddenly shoved her without warning. She bounced onto a crimson-colored bed.
The room was bathed in a deep red hue, from the sheets to the flickering candles whose smoke carried an unfamiliar scent.
"W-What do you mean by rough?" Her eyes grew heavy-lidded, a strange sensation settling over her.
"How old are you?" he asked.
Though confused, she managed to answer, "Twenty."
One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. "Good. Just making sure you're not a minor. I'm Falco."
"Elliana," she replied, her voice almost a whisper.
Falco grabbed a bottle of alcohol from the bedside table, uncapping it before walking back toward her.
She obediently parted her lips as he brought the bottle's mouth to her mouth.
"Drink," he ordered.
Her lips parted wider, her eyes locking onto his with a seductive gleam, silently inviting him to do whatever he pleased.
The bitter liquid burned down her throat, and her body felt warmer, more alive.
Without even thinking, she spread her legs as he positioned one strong thigh between them, pressing firmly into her.
"Ahhh!" she moaned, the sound slipping from her lips.
He tilted the bottle to his lips, and Elliana watched as the alcohol slid down his neck and chest. When Falco's gaze returned to her, his eyes burned with desire.
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